That is a lovely little verse eazybee.
I expect many of us were brought up to 'respect to our elders and betters' - no matter how grumpy or disagreeable they might be. Today I tell myself I don't have 'betters' as it's an outdated notion.
I cannot for the life of me see why anyone would get nasty or impatient with a frail, older person. No one should be troubled in their twilight years.
However, and I blame social media for having people focus daily on so much outside the family unit - the bonds of love often seem to break as far as grown up children are concerned. My dear Mum was my responsibility until the day she died, even though she always told me to go and live my own life and she didn't want to be dependent. I felt it was my duty as she aged to see she was looked after.
Perhaps as older people now we don't expect our own children to care about us as we age. I know younger members of the family don't seem in any way concerned that their dear Grandmother is stuck in a home with dementia. They mention her in passing and express concern but do nothing practical, or visit her. I'd have felt duty-bound in their position to go and visit or bring her flowers but they really don't see that. They say it's a waste of time, realistically, as she knows no one, is silent and doesn't cherish her family ornaments any longer, never mind a bunch of expensive flowers, which will just die. They are being realistic I suppose and it's up to our generation to ensure she is well looked after. What will become of us though?
I don't want my own children to be burdened with my care as I age, I know that. However, a friend's daughter works in a nursing home and she is surprised that so many old folk don't have visitors or relatives coming to see them or take them out. Many are taken in by family, forgotten about and die alone. I find that ever so sad.